I was born August 12, 2006, about 12 weeks early, weighing 1 lb 8 oz. I was hospitalized for 514 days, 6 months in NICU and 11 months in PICU, and I finally got to go home for the first time on January 7th, 2008. I've been working really hard to grow my lungs bigger and stronger so I can eventually get off my ventilator and do all the things other kids do. I'm pretty tough but my smile will charm you.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Back to the drawing board...

Kiera is having a pretty good week. We started her nebulized antibiotic and after a brief stint on 4 hour nebs again, we are back to 6. The other night I actually slept from 2am to 6:30 am and woke up feeling like it had been a long time. :) I guess I am delusional from sleep deprivation.

So I got disappointing news tonight that the day nurse I had finally gotten last week for 3 days a week, decided that she feels unqualified to take care of Kiera. I knew she wasn't really qualified, but I hoped she would be trainable. She was very nice but wasn't pediatric or ventilator certified. Anyway, I was just starting to feel like I might have a more regular schedule, and now I'm back to the drawing board.

I know lots of the PICU nurses read this blog...so, if you'd like extra hours...maybe even just 4-8 a week or more as it suits you...let me know or talk to one of Kiera's nurses at the hospital about getting signed up. I am very flexible. :) I can have up to 400 hours of nursing a month, about 100 hours a week, but as it stands I am lucky to get 24 just because of availability of qualified nurses.

New trach changing technique for my readers with trached kids: Kiera is obsessed with watching "Family Guy." I have a love/hate relationship with the show. However, we did her trach change on the floor in front of the TV tonight instead of at the table like usual, and it went surprisingly smooth while she watched Family Guy. She barely noticed us. :)

Side note: I tried Invisible Watermelon Kiwi Kool-Aid tonight. It is a trip to drink since it just looks like water. Tastes good...but it's interesting how much taste is connected with color. Weird.

1 comment:

Hey Therese!Just thought I would pop on to see how your little girl was doing, and I am so happy to see those adorable pics of her, and see she is well! Also, I loved reading about how you figured a distraction for trach changing time :) YEY! Hope you are well--miss you! Love, Lauren & family

Kiera's peek-a-boo game

Kiera's First Love, July 2007

About Me

I was born on August 12, 2006, after an emergency C-Section. I was about 12 weeks premature. 1 lb. 8 oz., a little underweight for a 28-weeker. Mostly, aside from my Chronic Lung disease from the early delivery, and having to live with a trachiostomy and a respirator, and beating my Pulminary Hypertension and thickening of my heart walls, all-in-all I am doing fine.

bornalivetruth.org

Kiera's NICU Days

I didn't start the blog till Kiera was 6 months old and in danger of dying; so here are some early days pics for those who didn't know her when she was so small.

Mommy's first chance to hold Kiera on day 2, just over the heated bed.

First Kangaroo Cuddle at 5 days old, 1 lb 6oz, she lost a little weight like all babies after birth.

2 lb princess

Take Daddy's hand

Mommy gives Kiera a sponge bath, weight about 3 lbs

In the 3 lb range, the blanket is a security blanket or burp cloth size, folded in half. When I got it as a gift before she was born, I thought, "What a ridiculously small blanket!" It ended up being just perfect for her.